Macarthur Job honoured with studio dedication

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has recognised respected Australian aviation author and editor, Macarthur Job OAM, by dedicating its new media studio in his honour, having spent more than half a century promoting aviation safety.

Earlier this year, the ATSB developed an in-house capability to provide media outlets with video and audio content for inclusion in their news coverage on transport safety investigations. The studio, which is used to produce broadcast quality TV and radio material, is located within the Bureau’s central office in Canberra.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood officially named the facility the Macarthur Job Studio during a ceremony on 30 October, attended by his widow, Esma Job, along with three of his five children.

“When it came to naming our studio, Mac’s name came to mind immediately,” Mr Hood said, shortly after unveiling a wall plaque that detailed Mr Job’s esteemed career.

“Mac was a pioneer of aviation safety messaging in Australia, editing the principal safety promotion publication of Department of Civil Aviation’s Air Safety Investigation Branch – the Aviation Safety Digest.”

“For 14 years, Mac edited and contributed to the Digest, known in aviation circles as the ‘crash comic’, and he later became a highly regarded author on aviation safety with his highly acclaimed Air Crash and Air Disaster book series.”

Mac, who passed away in August 2014 aged 88, was invited to become a member of the prestigious Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1983, through his work as editor of the Aviation Safety Digest. He was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to promote aviation safety in the 2003 Queen's Birthday honours.

Chief Commissioner Hood said the recognition and preservation of our transport safety investigation heritage is very important for the ATSB.

“I am deeply honoured to be able to dedicate our studio in memory of Mac,” Mr Hood said.

“The legacy of his professionalism and skills in amplifying important safety messaging derived from accident investigations, will always be remembered by the ATSB.

“The Macarthur Job Studio is an important capability for the ATSB – we can provide the media with broadcast quality content to help ensure our safety messaging is seen and heard by those in the aviation, marine and rail industries, and the general public.”

In addition to the investigation report and still imagery, media outlets can now download video and audio content directly from the ATSB’s website for most of the high profile complex investigations.

A number of journalists have provided the ATSB with some positive feedback on the new studio, saying that the readily available content saves valuable time during the production of news reports.